Since you’re like a close older sister, helping out your younger sister should be natural.

Hearing Jiang Lin’s words, Meng Yiyi furrowed her brow.

She knew all too well that Jiang Lin was trying to raise money and make connections to return to the city, perhaps even implying she could sell the child for funds.

Today, Jiang Lin was supposed to sell the child and head back to the city with the money, not planning to return.

What went wrong to make Jiang Lin deviate from her plan?

Did she suddenly develop attachment to the child? Impossible.

Did they not agree on the price? That was possible.

Why didn’t they agree on the price? It must be Jiang Lin throwing a tantrum again.

Meng Yiyi couldn’t help but feel disdain.

How could Jiang Lin lose her temper so easily without considering the circumstances?

Did she think she was a princess?

Didn’t she realize she had no money?

How could she dare to ask for loan?

Meng Yiyi scolded, “Linlin, you know exactly how much money I have. I can give you ten or twenty yuan, but anything more is impossible.”

Jiang Lin knew that 200 yuan could silence Meng Yiyi’s objections.

When the original owner was around with Meng Yiyi, she had always been in control.

Jiang Lin didn’t want to follow that pattern.

She and the original owner had such different personalities that Jiang Lin couldn’t imitate her perfectly.

Their differences in tone and behavior were obvious, likely raising suspicion in Meng Yiyi.

Even so, Jiang Lin couldn’t act affectionate towards Meng Yiyi or play a role.

When she received information, she instinctively didn’t like Meng Yiyi and didn’t have the same feeling of sisterhood as the original owner.

Since her father’s affair and her mother’s remarriage, she had quit school and left home to make her own way, vowing never to force herself again.

She wanted to live comfortably, or what was the point?

Who did Meng Yiyi think she was?

Jiang Lin didn’t want to pay any more attention to her; she had more important things to do.

Meng Yiyi’s sharp eyes immediately spotted the bruise on the left side of Jiang Lin’s head.

She exclaimed, “Linlin, what happened to your head?”

Concerned, she moved closer to inspect and found a bump above Jiang Lin’s left temple. “Oh dear, how did you hit it? Does it hurt? You should go see the village doctor right away.”

Cheng Xiaobao, upon hearing about her injury, hugged Jiang Lin’s face and made comforting sounds before walking away on his own.

Cheng Dabao also stared at her, his young face tense, his eyes showing concern.

Prompted by Meng Yiyi’s reminder, Jiang Lin went along with it and said, “Ouch! It hurts like crazy! I hit it on Zhao’s table corner and blacked out for half a day. When I woke up, I was so confused, took me a while to remember who I am and where home is.” She smiled at Meng Yiyi, “But don’t worry, I remembered you instantly, didn’t forget a thing.” Blaming the head injury for a sudden change in personality and memory loss was an easy way to deflect attention.

Moved and worried, Meng Yiyi said, “Linlin, we rely on each other here. If you’re hurt because of me, I…”

Jiang Lin interrupted, thinking, You’re quite the actress. I’ll play along.

She immediately said, “By the way Yiyi, I’m going to confront Cheng Ruhai. Will you be my strategist?”

Meng Yiyi’s face changed drastically, “Linlin, you can’t act recklessly. Cheng Ruhai is not a good person, how can you compete with him?”

Jiang Lin retorted, “What, is there no justice? I’m not afraid of him. He was unfair to kick us out and I want to make things right!”

Meng Yiyi looked at Jiang Lin suspiciously, seemingly unable to believe what she was hearing.

Softly, she glanced at the two children, then leaned closer to Jiang Lin and whispered, “Going back to the city is what matters most right now.”

Returning to the city, Bian Haitao—these were Jiang Lin’s vulnerabilities, and Meng Yiyi was sure they would be effective.

But Jiang Lin furrowed her brows.

“There are priorities to consider. The most urgent matter is reclaiming our house, belongings, and food. We absolutely cannot compromise with Cheng Ruhai and his evil influence! Yiyi, you must help me. We’re good sisters, after all.”

Meng Yiyi was taken aback, quickly changing the subject. “By the way, Qian Bo… isn’t he with you?”

Jiang Lin had left early, and Qian Bo followed shortly after.

Meng Yiyi naturally knew what had happened.

Jiang Lin replied, “Huh? I don’t remember. Qian Bo… did I make plans with him? I don’t recall.”

Cheng Dabao stared at her intently.

Meng Yiyi, looking puzzled, asked, “Aren’t you two…”

Jiang Lin winked at Cheng Dabao, deflecting again. “Oh dear, let’s not talk about that. I need to hurry back and get ready.”

Cheng Dabao led his younger brother towards the village, and Jiang Lin took a few steps before turning back to smile at Meng Yiyi. “Yiyi, true friends show up in times of trouble. You must come help.” With that, she hurried after her sons into the village.

Meng Yiyi felt like someone had slapped her and pulled out a handful of hair.

She felt uncomfortable and scratched her neck and face, wondering what was wrong with Jiang Lin.

They had grown up together, shared everything, and Meng Yiyi knew Jiang Lin better than Jiang Lin knew herself.

Even the slightest change in Jiang Lin’s expression, the curve of her smile—it all felt off to Meng Yiyi.

Jiang Lin talking about confronting Cheng Ruhai head-on, clearly at a disadvantage, was something only a fool like Jiang Lin would do.

How could she find an excuse to avoid this?

What was going on with Jiang Lin? She didn’t sell her son, didn’t sneak away to the city, and was even affectionate with her sons?

Meng Yiyi became more convinced than ever: Jiang Lin had undergone a drastic change in character.

It was like dealing with two different people!

Could hitting her head really change someone’s character? Meng Yiyi decided she needed to consult the village doctor.

She couldn’t let Jiang Lin ruin her plans.

Meanwhile, Jiang Lin led her children back to the village.

Shuihuai Village was named after an ancient well and a centuries-old locust tree within the village.

The well water was clear and sweet, never drying up even in the driest years, a constant source since the elders’ memory.

The ancient locust tree, planted at the end of the Ming Dynasty, stood twenty meters tall with a trunk thick enough for two people to embrace.

Despite its age, it remained lush and provided ample shade, a favorite spot for villagers to gather, chat, and cool off.

Whether it was noon or evening, a large crowd always gathered under the ancient locust tree near the village’s large grinding stone, chatting and laughing.

On the way, Jiang Lin noticed Xiaobao was too tired and carried him, while Dabao walked ahead with a cold expression.

Next to the big locust tree was the village’s large grinding stone, where a stout woman in her thirties was pushing the millstone with a donkey.

Spotting Jiang Lin returning, she called out sarcastically, “Hey, the Educated Youth is back from the city already? Just left this morning and back so soon? How nimble!”

This was Liu Honghua, the wife of Cheng Ruhai, who now served as the wife of the production team leader.

She certainly thought highly of herself.

Cheng Ruhai was her husband’s older half-brother by the same father.

Setting aside his past actions, just upon hearing any unfavorable news about his younger brother, he promptly drove out his sister-in-law and his children, enough to earn Jiang Lin’s resentment.

However, at this moment, she was too tired to go back and rest to come up with a plan to deal with Cheng Ruhai.

She didn’t want to get involved in Liu Honghua’s business.

Seeing Jiang Lin ignore her, Liu Honghua refused to let it go.

She raised her voice and shouted, “What’s wrong, your son didn’t get sold off? Such a little brat like that, no one wants him, right?”

With her shout, the men sitting under the big locust tree, leisurely chatting, all turned to look in surprise.

Today, right after Jiang Lin left with her child, rumors spread in the village that Jiang Lin had sold her son to raise money and make connections to return to the city.

No one knew where the rumors originated, but that’s what they were saying.

Cheng Dabao, who was walking ahead, immediately stopped in his tracks, angrily glaring back at Liu Honghua.

His mother could say they sold him, but no one else was allowed to!

Jiang Lin hurriedly urged him, “Let’s go home.”

Cheng Xiaobao, nestled in her arms, piped up in his childish voice, “Mom, she’s lying, let’s not listen!”

He gently wiped the sweat from Jiang Lin’s brow with his little hand, his movements tender and reluctant.

Meeting his big, shiny eyes, Jiang Lin felt a strange sensation in her heart.

Being cared for always brought joy.

Meanwhile, Liu Honghua continued to gossip on the side,

Cheng Dabao wasn’t as easy to talk to.

He turned around and ran towards Liu Honghua, grabbed a clod of dirt, and threw it at the grinding stone, shouting, “You stinky woman, spreading rumors, so annoying!”

“Ouch! You little brat, your mother’s bad seed, you unethical thing!” Liu Honghua couldn’t finish her gossiping and hurriedly went to protect the food.

Luckily, the clod of dirt was hard, so it didn’t cause much harm when it landed in the grain.

They could just pick it out.

Still, it was dirt, and some crumbs stuck to the crushed cornmeal.

Liu Honghua was furious and cursed loudly, “You little bastard, you were born without a mother to teach you manners! If your father hadn’t died outside… curse your mother, you dare!”

Because her words were harsh, Cheng Dabao didn’t throw dirt this time.

Instead, he grabbed soil and flung it onto the grinding stone.

With his dark face and pursed lips, he didn’t say a word but moved quickly.

While Liu Honghua picked up the dirt, she was so angry that she grabbed a broom to hit him.

Although Cheng Dabao was young, he was strong and fast.

After throwing the dirt, he ran around the grinding stone.

Liu Honghua had to protect the food and chase him, but for a moment, she couldn’t catch up.

Men lounging nearby watched, and someone shouted, “Sister-in-law, why are you chasing after a child?”

Some people also cursed, “This stinky kid deserves a beating, just like his father, asking for trouble.” Then they began to bring up old grievances, “When Dongsheng, that stinky kid, returned to the village years ago, how old was he? About eleven or twelve, like a wolf cub. If anyone said anything bad about his family, he would fight them to the death.”

Dongsheng was Cheng Rushan’s nickname.

Cheng Rushan had learned martial arts since he was young.

By the age of eleven or twelve, that boy could already fight well.

It was said that a young and strong excellent militia member was no match for him, let alone those mischievous half-grown children in the village.

Anyone who cursed his parents as bastard son, or landlord’s dog, regardless of adults or children, each one had been beaten by him.

Even if he was later paraded with a wooden sign around his neck, or criticized in meetings, he didn’t change, and if anything, he became even fiercer in subsequent fights.

He was fierce in beating others, and when others beat him, he wouldn’t beg for mercy.

He dared to fight back, and over time, the people in the village dared not provoke him.

Coupled with the support of the brigade leader, gradually his family became “educable good children” with a special status, and no one dared to call him a bastard son or similar names anymore.

By the time he was fourteen, he was already running transportation missions across mountains and seas with the government transport team, capable of supporting his family on his own.

Naturally, no one dared to underestimate him anymore.

Even when he wasn’t at home, his influence remained.

But now, Cheng Ruhai said he would never return.

With old grievances lingering, some villagers couldn’t resist adding fuel to the fire, especially those who coveted his mother and wife’s beauty.

When Jiang Lin saw Liu Honghua chasing Dabao, she left Xiaobao aside and ran over to intervene.

Liu Honghua was both angry and desperate.

Finally losing her temper, she forgot about the food and focused only on chasing Cheng Dabao, threatening to beat him to death.

Cheng Dabao was still just a child and soon had his arm grabbed by her.

With one hand pulling Cheng Dabao’s arm, Liu Honghua raised her other hand to slap his little face. “I’ll beat you to death, you little bastard!”

Before her slap could land on Cheng Dabao’s face, Jiang Lin rushed forward.

She grabbed Liu Honghua’s wrist with one hand and delivered a slap across Liu Honghua’s face with the other. “Watch your filthy mouth!”